Aquaculture Research Institute, University of Maine

05/07/2026

The University of Maine is seeking an accomplished and motivated Assistant Extension Professor and Shellfish Aquaculture Specialist with expertise in applied marine science and aquaculture systems. This position is integral to advancing research, education, and outreach efforts that support the sustainability and growth of the shellfish aquaculture industry. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to scholarly research, stakeholder engagement, and Extension programming, with the ability to develop collaborative partnerships that enhance the reach and impact of their work. This is a full-time, fiscal year and continuing contract eligible (tenure) faculty appointment, soft money funded position.

Complete Job Description: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NLcULd-5dhg0dv-K2NJS2h_lQvAUJzeM/view

Apply Here: https://fa-ewca-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/2639/?utm_medium=jobshare&utm_source=External+Job+Share

Contact the Search Chair, Sarah Barker, [email protected], for all the details!

🗓️ Key Dates: Application Deadline: June 5th, 2026 at 4:30pm
Interview Timeline & Start Date: To be determined

04/13/2026

Ocean acidification is an increasing challenge for marine ecosystems, impacting shell-forming species like oysters and corals, and creating ripple effects for coastal economies that depend on them. Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and ARI are exploring a chemical-free approach that uses electricity to help rebalance seawater chemistry and mitigate these impacts. We're proud to be a partner in this work, supporting research that connects aquaculture innovation with real-world environmental challenges. As ocean conditions continue to shift, solutions like this highlight the role aquaculture research can play in advancing both environmental resilience and sustainable seafood production.

Watch here:

Marine life, like corals, oysters, and certain plankton, is harmed by increases in the acidity of seawater. Loss of shellfish can lead to water quality decli...

04/02/2026

The 2026 UMaine Blue Economy Career Summit is underway, bringing together students, employers, researchers, and industry leaders from across Maine’s marine and coastal sectors.

Conversations are focused on career pathways, workforce development, and innovation in the blue economy.

Students on campus today are encouraged to stop by Wells Conference Center to explore opportunities shaping Maine’s future.

Check out the agenda below or learn more at https://lnkd.in/e_DwBkcD.

01/12/2026

"This trip provided an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how aquaculture systems emerge in various social, economic, and environmental contexts, and to explore how workforce development and training approaches used in Maine might, or might not, be applicable elsewhere through meaningful knowledge exchange.

Life aboard a working vessel reinforced that perspective. With limited connectivity and across language differences, effective communication required presence, patience, and shared effort. When it came time to sail, there were no passive roles, every task depended on coordinated cooperation.

That experience carried directly into our discussions about aquaculture research, education, and workforce development, underscoring a central lesson: sustainable progress depends on reciprocal knowledge exchange, listening first, and building relationships grounded in collaboration." - Damian Brady

12/19/2025

UMaine researchers sailed with the Expedition, collaborating with warm-water innovators in La Paz to advance regenerative aquaculture and a shared vision for ocean health. Catch the full story on UMaine News here:

Two researchers from the University of Maine’s Aquaculture Research Institute sailed aboard a Norwegian tall ship as part of One Ocean Expedition and worked with a regenerative aquaculture innovation hub out of La Paz, Mexico. UMaine’s representatives — Damian Brady, professor of oceanography ...

12/11/2025

What does regenerative aquaculture research look like from the deck of a tall ship? While aboard Statsraad Lehmkuhl, UMaine’s ARI team not only shared UMaine programs and Maine aquaculture through workshops, but also learned from scientists, students, and practitioners from Mexico who are leading work on ocean health, regenerative aquaculture, and sustainable working coastal communities. Dr. Adrian Munguia-Vega’s lab — including researcher Ana Moran Ahern — together with shipboard researcher Natascha Fabregas of the One Ocean Expedition, conducted water-column sampling down to 1000 m and collected plankton samples to validate Environmental DNA (eDNA) analyses. Their work offered us a powerful real-time look at how cutting-edge ocean science is done under sail. We’re bringing those lessons home to Maine through our new Sustainable Aquaculture Workforce & Innovation Center and the AquEOUS program, where students will help shape the future of regenerative aquaculture. collective

12/09/2025

From the Gulf of Maine to the Gulf of California. This fall, two UMaine ARI researchers sailed aboard the historic tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl as part of the Expedition — a global voyage dedicated to ocean health, regenerative aquaculture, education, and sustainable blue economies. Stay tuned to see how this journey is shaping new regenerative aquaculture collaborations for Maine!

08/08/2025

Undergraduate Student Research Symposium 2025

From scallop aquaculture innovations to lobster nursery design, our AquEOUS students showcased research that pushes Maine’s blue economy forward. Their summer work tackled big questions in aquaculture—asking them to think deeply, adapt, and stay open to growth. This work is not easy, but they rose to the challenge with humility, and curiosity.

A huge thank you to our mentors, whose patience and dedication make this possible. The work of Two-Eyed Seeing—bridging worldviews and honoring multiple ways of knowing—is challenging and deeply meaningful.

We wish our students all the best in their next steps.

08/07/2025

Meet Yayla, an AquEOUS fellow based at the Darling Marine Center and mentored by Corinne Noufi. This summer, Yayla has been exploring the intersection of Indigenous sovereignty, aquaculture, and environmental justice. She even designed our logo! Scroll to see Yayla in action and get a glimpse of her artwork 🖼️

08/05/2025

Interested in seeing more about what our Aqueous fellows have been up to this summer? Come to the Student Marine Research Symposium this Thursday to learn more about what the fellows and other interns at the Darling Marine Center have been working so hard on!

New AquEOUS logo designed my AquEOUS fellow Yayla Tur!